James Danko was named Butler University’s 21st president in 2011, stressing a focus on innovation and expansion that included developing new programs and enhancing the university’s facilities. Under his leadership, the university opened the 110,000-square-foot Lacy School of Business building in the summer of 2019 and completed a $100 million expansion of its sciences complex in 2023. In August 2025, Butler will open Founder’s College, which will allow students from historically underserved backgrounds to earn an associate degree with minimal financial burden and to pursue a Butler bachelor’s degree for approximately $10,000.
First job: Substitute newspaper carrier at age 10. “I was eager to have my own route, but you needed to be 12. I befriended the carriers near my home and positioned myself to take over when I reached the eligible age.”
Advice to students: “Strive to do your best at every step, but don’t be afraid to explore the less traveled paths.”
Pets: a Bernedoodle named Daisy and a rock dove named Snow
Lacy Johnson is a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, serving as the partner-in-charge of the law firm’s Washington D.C. office. Johnson is also a member of the firm’s executive committee and Public Affairs Strategies Group. Johnson previously served on the Biden-Harris transition team and was a member of Vice President Kamala Harris’s Midwest finance team. In 2021, President Biden appointed Johnson as an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee. In 2023, Biden appointed Johnson to serve on the President’s Export Council. Johnson’s legal practice is focused on public affairs and government. Before he became an attorney, Johnson served as a lieutenant colonel in the Indiana State Police and was a lieutenant commander of the U.S. Naval Intelligence Reserves.
First job: a paperboy, where he learned commitment and responsibility
Job swap: secretary of the Navy
Tell us about your pets: “I would, but I don’t have any.”
After serving as President and CEO of Rdoor Housing Corp. for three years and for decades in affordable housing, Bruce Baird has made plans this summer to step down from the organization and retire. Rdoor, founded in 1987 as Merchants Affordable Housing Corp., is one of Indiana’s largest not-for-profit affordable housing providers. Baird expanded Rdoor’s affordable housing portfolio to more than 3,000 units across 24 unique properties in Indianapolis, Gary and South Bend. He also developed enhanced asset management programs for RDOOR’s communities. He previously served as executive director of Renew Indianapolis and as the president of Insight Development, the real estate development arm of the Indianapolis Housing Agency. Prior to Insight, Baird worked in leadership positions for the city of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership and Eastside Community Investments.
First job: Dairy Queen. “It taught me if you care about your job, are diligent, and have a strong work ethic, you will succeed.”
Favorite thing about being a leader: “Hands down, mentoring, encouraging, supporting and challenging others to grow to be the very best they can be. Developing people is critical for employees to feel valued, perform well and progress in their careers.”
Before she retired, Myrta Pulliam was director of special projects for Star Media in Indianapolis and a founder of Investigative Reporters and Editors, which focuses on improving investigative journalism. Now, she is on the steering committee for Free Press Indiana (formerly known as the Indiana Local News Initiative). That group launched the not-for-profit newsroom, Mirror Indy, in December and plans to have 20 staff members providing Indianapolis with community-centered news. She serves on the boards of the Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis Prize, Newfields, Lewa Conservancy USA and DePauw University. She formerly co-chaired the Indianapolis Prize, which is one of the world’s leading awards for animal conservation.
Advice for a young person: “Work your ass off.”
Worries about: “The state of the planet that we are killing, and democracy, which is in severe danger.”
Admires most: “My nana, who taught us we could do/be anything we chose. My grandpa for similar reasons.”
Peter J. Paradossi serves as president of the Evansville Regional Business Committee, a leadership organization comprised of the CEOs and presidents of many of the largest businesses in Southwest Indiana. The organization focuses on advancing regional economic growth and building a vibrant community by advocating, collaborating, and being the visionary force on key initiatives and investments within southwest Indiana. He was appointed to the position in 2016 following a 25-year career in the pharmaceutical and health care industry. He led the public affairs and communications functions for both Bristol-Myers Squibb and Abbott Labs. He serves on the following boards and organizations: Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, United Way of Southwest Indiana, Evansville Sports Commission, Evansville Regional Airport Authority, Golf Gives Back and Mattingly Charities.
Favorite device or gadget: “My riding lawn mower!”
Toughest challenge: “Being a strong leader, supportive spouse, and good parent all at the same time.”
Edmond O’Neal leads Northeast Indiana Works, a not-for-profit focused on workforce development in 11 counties. The group oversees 11 career centers as well as helps students determine how their interests could turn into jobs in greater Fort Wayne. The organization also helps raise awareness about careers in advanced manufacturing. O’Neal serves on the boards of STAR Financial, the Greater Fort Wayne Community Foundation, the Questa Education Foundation, Erin’s House for Grieving Children and Catie B Charities. He previously worked at JobWorks, the University of North Texas and Texas Christian University.
Way to improve Indiana as governor: “Find ways to expand public transit within and between communities.”
First job: “Working for a full-service moving company. It taught me that I never wanted to work for a full-service moving company again!”
Job swap: “Classic car restoration, service and sales.”
John Thompson owns four commercial construction-related companies. They include Thompson Distribution Co. Inc., a distributor of mechanical supplies and equipment; First Electric Supply Co. LLC, a distributor of electrical supplies and equipment; CMID, an architectural and engineering design firm; and BC Countertops, a fabricator and installer of millwork. In July 2023, Thompson said his firms had won sales of more than $50 million in the previous year. The companies have worked on every hospital Indiana University Health has built or expanded since 2001. That includes winning more than $20 million in bids at the downtown hospital campus now under construction. Thompson is seemingly omnipresent on local boards, having led the Indiana Chamber, the Eskenazi Health Foundation, the Indy Chamber, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana Black Expo and Junior Achievement of Central Indiana. He previously served as a consultant for McKinsey and Co. in New York and London and as vice president of Mays Chemical Co. Inc. in Indianapolis.
Favorite thing about being a leader: “Creating opportunities for others to advance, particularly out of poverty.”
Chuck Surack founded Sweetwater Sound in 1979 as a four-track recording studio in the back of his Volkswagen bus. Surack sold a controlling stake of the $1.6 billion Sweetwater Sound in 2021 to Providence Equity Partners. Today, he focuses on Surack Enterprises, the holding company for his other enterprises, which include SweetCars, Aviation Specialty Insurance, Enstrom Helicopter Corp., Lakeland Internet, Longe Optical and Sweet Aviation. Surack and his wife, Lisa, started the Surack Family Foundation, which annually donates to about 600 charities, many in northeastern Indiana. In May, he joined the Indy Eleven soccer team as a co-owner and financier as franchise officials work to secure a Major League Soccer club for Indianapolis. Surack plays saxophone in venues around northeastern Indiana and is an avid helicopter pilot.
Favorite thing about being a leader: “I love making a positive impact and to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in their organizations or communities. We can inspire and motivate individuals, guide them towards common goals, and create a sense of purpose and direction.”
David Rosenberg is Indiana’s secretary of commerce and a member of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s cabinet, a role he’s held since August 2023. In this job, Rosenberg leads the Indiana Economic Development Corp., where he had worked as chief operating officer and chief of staff. That team has consistently pointed to $28.7 billion in committed capital for Indiana in 2023, which marks a new high for the state and a 29% increase from the previous year. Those investments are expected to lead to roughly 21,000 new career opportunities. In a 2022 report, the agency said it has supported projects that created 147,141 jobs since 2005. Rosenberg also helped secure three new federal tech hub designations for technology, hydrogen energy and microelectronics. In March, he was part of a delegation to South Korea to boost investment in automotive manufacturing, electric vehicles, energy generation and storage, and technology. Previously, he was vice president of operations for Indianapolis-based Market Street Group Inc. He also served as deputy chief of staff under Mayor Greg Ballard.
